Weather

Six people were killed by a tornado that struck Winterset, Iowa, on Saturday, the Des Moines Register reported, citing local officials.

Sydney braced for more rain on Sunday after being drenched by heavy downpours over the past week, as the death toll from flooding across the eastern part of the country reached 17.

Between 80 to 100 millimetres of rain is expected to fall between this afternoon and tomorrow morning.

The north and east of New Zealand is expected to become drier, and the west and south wetter, with considerable seasonal variation.

The NSW premier says "things will get worse before they get better" with up to 200mm of rain expected.

Lack of progress on Westport flood protection is being blamed on "insufficient appetite" to actually get on and do it.

The flooding emergency continues in Australia with more than 1000 people rescued in northern New South Wales and an estimated 20,000 households affected by flooding in Queensland.

A new national Civil Defence tsunami alert category is being worked up following the huge impact of the Tongan volcano eruption on Northland's coastline.

A severe storm system pummelled Australia's northeastern city of Brisbane on Sunday, causing evacuations, power outages and school closures as the death toll climbed to seven from accompanying flash…

Widespread flash floods unleashed by heavy rain in Australia have swept cars off the road and drowned motorists, including an emergency services volunteer.

Extreme rainfall and flooding has left roading and infrastructure across the Buller District in a fragile state and in urgent need of repair before further heavy rain hits the region.

Parts of Northland could be in for a stormy afternoon.

A temporary road to get around and help fix a flood-damaged road in South Marlborough has been washed out by a slip brought on by more flooding.

The state of emergency in the Buller district has been extended as the council assesses flood damage estimated to have cost millions of dollars.